KORBA,CG: Chhattisgarh Commerce, Industry, and Labor Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan launched the ‘Lab on Wheels’ program on Tuesday in Korba district. The initiative by the district administration aims to provide better health facilities to villagers living in remote forest areas.

Dewangan said that through the innovation—Lab on Wheels—villagers in remote areas will have access to free testing for various diseases from the comfort of their homes. It will save villagers from the need to travel far to cities for medical checkups, saving both time and money. He emphasized that early detection of diseases makes treatment easier and helps prevent serious health conditions.

Samples collected at primary health centres will be transported by Lab on Wheels riders to community health centres in their respective development blocks. The samples will be tested, and once the reports are prepared, the riders will return the results to the primary health centres.

The Cabinet Minister mentioned that, earlier, arrangements for doctors were made in health centres through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds. The Lab on Wheels program is another step forward. Additionally, for the expansion of health facilities in the district, approval has been granted for the repair of dilapidated health centres and the construction of new buildings using DMF funds. To support health workers in remote areas, housing and security measures, such as boundary walls, will also be provided.

He pledged immediate appointment of two doctors at the Community Health Centre in Katghora under DMF, which includes a general physician and a surgeon.

MLA Katghora Patel said the initiative will provide better healthcare to the common people, allowing them to get tested for diseases without traveling to the city.

Collector Ajit Vasant said the program aims to reduce healthcare expenses for the common people while providing better health services at a lower cost. The initiative will save both time and money for the villagers. Initially, it is being implemented in three remote development blocks of the district: Katghora, Pali, and Podi Uprora. A route chart has been prepared by the Health Department to serve people in remote forest areas. Samples will be collected from the PHC and deposited at the CHC according to the route set by the riders.

Minister Dewangan and other public representatives inaugurated the Bio-Chemistry Lab at CHC Katghora, where samples from PHCs will be tested. The Lab on Wheels riders were flagged off by the guests.